A TH/condo in bay area or a house in Phoenix?

[Ivy Liu]

Hey Bigger Pockets! First post here :)

I'm currently located in silicon valley bay area of California. Have been working here for a while and finally saved up enough down payments. Originally I planed to purchase either a 2b2b townhome with good conditions or a 2b2b condo with a good location. However, last year I met my boyfriend who is currently working in Phoenix and owes a house there. I have the plan to relocate to Phoenix,  and don't know what to do with my down payment now. Should I continue my plan with a townhome/condo in the bay area? Or start to look at the SFHs in Phoenix? Apparently in either way the place I purchased will be a rental property. 

Thank you!

[Greg Scott]

Easy, Phoenix.

First, no matter where it is located, I would never choose a condo over a house.  There are many reasons for that including lack of control over expenses, and challenges of dealing with other owners.

Even if they were both houses, I would always choose Phoenix over Bay Area.  The communist republic of California is not very friendly to landlords, but Arizona is.   Both taxes and insurance costs are also lower.   And, recent census data shows California is losing population while Phoenix is booming!